I'm thinking of getting a surf rod to fish for Hybrids with live Shad.

I've seen some showing how to cast one like this:

[url=<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0e0BiFAc6Uo?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>]how to cast a surf rod[/url] <iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0e0BiFAc6Uo?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

But then I've talked to some people that personally use 9ft Surf rods and don't have to do that.

Also I was thinking about using a large bobber for the shad like this:


Soooo I was interested in seeing what kind of feedback any of you guys may have if you've used them before, also where I can buy them for cheap and if they must say "for surf casting" on the rod in order to be an actual surf rod, I know this post is long winded but I appreciate any help I can get.

Well 9 to 12 ft. range would be good not sure how big of a fish you want but I always use atleast med. heavy to x heavy. Plus you want to have a big reel to hold alot of line.

Well 9 to 12 ft. range would be good not sure how big of a fish you want but I always use atleast med. heavy to x heavy. Plus you want to have a big reel to hold alot of line. You can go to bass pro or academy and get them for 80 bucks. but the really cheap ones I stay away from.

Contact "HookSpit" Rods in League City area they'll fix you Up they are the Experts..

Distance casting live bait can be tricky, even if they are tougher, larger, heavy baits. You can develop enough force to strip a hook even with a soft lob. A softer tip helps, this is why most live shrimp rods are usually in the medium to light range with a coach whip tip, it acts like a shock absorber.

I have a 9 foot Shimano FX rod that is rated at MH, 4 ounce max, that does fairly well with a live mullet when it is double hooked and tied with sticky cord. It still needs to be casted softly. It is a cheap rod, and I am pretty sure a surf casting shop might have better rods for the task.

I like this site for information, even though it is from England, Beach casting. You will have to check out a few of them to get the idea of what needs to be done, and then adapt it to your own way of fishing.

I have found that you need to get the weight moving before you actually do a cast, even if it is a soft one. Starting with the weight from just sitting there is like going from 0 to 90 in a few seconds, way too much stress on the bait.

An aerodynamic float works well, and if the fish are large enough to pull that size float down, then it is the one to use.

Many years ago, my Dad used to use that same style float to cast into the center of a pay lake in Illinois for catfish, using a little Zebco combo and cutbait, he was pretty successful with it.

Good luck on finding that perfect rod. Please keep us informed on how your search is going.

You could start with the 9ft ugly stick Gx, or get a Penn Prevail surf rod. I like the Tsunami airwave as well. My fave rod is actually an old wonder rod I found and had the reel seat changed and recorked the handle . That rod is almost unbreakable. I change my casting style we throwing live bait on surf rods. I have given a few mullet whiplash on the way out. I throw live bait side arm to decrease the force.

I bought the 10 foot Penn Prevail last weekend and I like it alot. Stout and pretty decent rod for the money. I plan to get a the 12 footer but FTU didn't have any.

Pro Angler 10 ft Medium heavy works well for me in the surf. If fishing from a boat you should probably go shorter.